What's happening with our review of The Witcher 3

The Witcher 3 launches tomorrow, and it’s all very exciting. You’ve probably noticed a lot of reviews knocking about the place, and maybe you’re wondering where ours is. Here’s the problem: PS4 review codes were the only ones being sent out until very recently.

CD Projekt Red have apparently been working on the PC version until the 11th hour, which is why you won’t see any PC reviews out there, in the wilderness, or here in PCGamesN. I do have a code now, however, and I can tell you what our review plans are.

Without altering the laws of the universe, I won’t be finished with The Witcher 3 tomorrow, when it launches. But I will be posting the first part of my review in progress. I’d hoped to post the first part today, but without the day one patch, it’s quite buggy, and might not be representative of the launch version of the game. Since the first part of my review in progress will be a short, technical review (not unlike our Port Reviews), I’m going to need to wait for that patch.

Here’s where I’m at right now: I’ve played through the tutorial and explored the entirety of the first post-tutorial region and defeated my first boss monster. I’ve encountered some issues, but none that I wasn’t forewarned about by CDPR, so they’ll likely be sorted by the day one patch.

So far, I’m extremely impressed. The world is stunning and well-realised, brimming with incidental characters with interesting backstories and elaborate quests. The highlight has been, of course, Geralt’s beard, however.

Throughout the week, I’ll be updating the review in progress, and I’ll be posting my final review on next week, giving me a week to get right into the game’s lovely nooks and crannies.

I do hope you properly evaluate the mouse/keyboard controls and rate the game accordingly. I've heard bad things about the PC controls and that's a serious issue that shouldn't be overlooked on a site dedicated to PC gaming.

In action games, sure, but this is an RPG with loads of menus and inventory faffing. So far, I've found that I prefer the M+KB in The Witcher 3, but navigating the interface has still been a bit of a chore.

I've spent 4 hours in the game already on my pc. I played with both, my xbox controller and mouse & keyboard. I much prefer mouse & keyboard for this game, especially in the menus. It feels more intuitive

Listen, I know this game is like the second coming or something, but please don't give a bug a pass just 'cos CDPR forewarned you about it. This isn't a preview. Judge the game that you are playing. Don't assume that it'll "likely be sorted by the day one patch".

To clarify, I won't be giving any bugs "a pass". If the bugs I've encountered persist in the launch version, I will mention them. The reason I'm waiting until tomorrow to make my first review post is because I don't want to write about things that will be fixed by the time people can start playing it.

There's another reason, as well: a few of the graphics settings won't work until tomorrow. I am currently unable to test HBAO+ and the fancy hair settings. Graphics settings and performance will be the focus of the first part of the review in progress, so I need to wait until tomorrow.

It would be disingenuous of PCGamesN to speak badly of the game if there's a patch that would prevent any normal consumer from experiencing that same technical issue. Waiting is the correct answer lest he cry about a bug that no one is ever going to see except the press that got an early version, again, not representative of consumer retail. If the bug is still there when gamers get their hands on it, fire away.

I think people are extremely quick to want to rip this game apart before seeing it due to the "downgrade" and "CDPR sold out for consoles" mob scene. Lets all calm down and hope for a fantastic game. CDPR has a great track record so far and is one of the most gamer friendly companies we have left.